Minor League Transactions (Offseason 2024-25)

[Seth Stohs]

Starting a new MILB Transactions thread for the offseason. We know the big leaguers who became free agents with the conclusion of the World Series. Now we know which minor leaguers have officially become free agents too. That list is just below. 

This thread should be a place to talk about the minor-league free agents the Twins lost and when we learn about a player signing a minor-league contract with the Twins. Normally those won't garner a full article, though at times it could, but we want to track them here. In addition, feel free to discuss former Twins and Twins minor leaguers and where they sign too. I will try to compile that list as well in coming days. But let's start the thread with the players who have spent time in the Twins organization (some going back as far as 2017-2018) and others who just spent some time in 2024. 

RHP: Jeff Brigham, Daniel Duarte, Giovanny Gallegos, Adam Plutko, Zack Weiss, Hobie Harris, Regi Grace, Miguel Rodriguez, Danny Moreno.

LHP: Rafael Marcano, Gabriel Yanez. 

C: Wilfri Castro, Chris Williams 

IF: Rixon Wingrove, Rylan Bannon, 

OF: Carlos Aguiar, Agustin Ruiz. 

My assumption is within coming days, this will also include IF Yunior Severino, RHPs Josh Winder and Scott Blewett (unless they re-sign with the Twins right away). 

In addition, last month, the Twins released LHP Jordan Carr and RHP Mason Fox, making them free agents.   And, if you go to the very beginning of October, LHPs Cole Irvin and Scott Okert, RHP Trevor Richards, and both Diego Castillo's (IF and RHP) chose to become free agents after being outrighted. 

There have also been several DSL players released since their season ended: Infielders Luis Rodriguez and Ruben Velasquez, and RHPs Neftali Rodriguez and Ledwin Taveras. 

In late September, right after the minor league seasons ended, the Twins released the following players (in case you missed them): RHP Ben Ethridge, RHP Tomas Cleto, RHP Hector Garcia, catchers Matthew Clayton and Cole Elvis, and infielder Omari Daniel.  Oh, and RHP Sean Mooney retired. As he said, just wasn't able to get and stay healthy. 

That should have us all caught up. 

 

[nicksaviking]

I thought Winder might figure it out after coming back last year. The ERA didn't match his excellent strikeout and walk numbers in St. Paul, but he still gave up a ton of hits. I'm guessing that fastball still remained straight as an arrow.

Regarding Severino; the Twins offensive approach seems to change year-to-year to adjust to what wasn't working, however with his release, I'd guess they're staying committed to last year's effort at reducing strikeouts. Hate to see him go, but happy about what it suggests.

[stringer bell]

Daniel Duarte re-signed with the Twins on a minor league deal. He had a brief but successful run with the Twins until he went on the IL and then had elbow surgery.

Blewett, Severino and Winder are all free agents. I'm thinking the most likely to re-sign with the Twins is Blewett, with Winder and Severino likely to take their talents elsewhere.

[Seth Stohs]

Twins Re-Signed LHP Gabriel Yanez. He spent the season at Cedar Rapids. The 25-year-old went 4-4 with 10 saves. He had a 2.26 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 55 2/3 innings. He did well most of the season. He could potentially be a late bloomer. Or not, we'll see. 

[FlyingFinn]

On 11/7/2024 at 12:38 AM, Seth Stohs said:

My assumption is within coming days, this will also include IF Yunior Severino, RHPs Josh Winder and Scott Blewett (unless they re-sign with the Twins right away).

Indeed, Severino and Blewett resign with the Twins.

[FlyingFinn]

We signed Alex Speas today.

[Cory Engelhardt]

According to the twins transactions log, they signed 2 minor league free agents on 12/2 and 12/3.

Michael Martinez, relief pitcher who was in the dodgers system last year. Decent numbers

https://www.milb.com/player/michael-martinez-681597

Allan Cerda, outfielder

https://www.milb.com/player/allan-cerda-678323

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Looking here for the triple A portion of the rule 5 draft... Seeing nothing, i suppose maybe i can do something about that? 

Per Baseballerica site:

(inbound)

1. Twins — Trent Baker, RHP, Cardinals
2. Twins — Miguel Briceno, OF, Brewers
3. Twins — Jefferson Valladares, C, Dodgers

(outbound)

2. Mariners — Taylor Floyd, RHP, Twins

Sound right?

[Seth Stohs]

Twins have also signed RHP Darren McCaughan. MLB time in 3 of the past 4 seasons. Most time in 2024, but not good numbers. Like most MILB signings, he's signed for the Saints and for depth if a lot of things go wrong. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

According to the Twins transaction log on their site, they've signed a 17 year old left handed starter out of Cuba named Marlon Mirabel. 

All I can find on him is an Instagram post. In it is says he signed for 35k, and throws 89-91 mph with a curveball that currently spins about 2,800 rpm.

https://www.instagram.com/francysromerofr/p/DDknPEdJHJI/?img_index=1

[DJL44]

On 12/13/2024 at 12:38 AM, Seth Stohs said:

Twins have also signed RHP Darren McCaughan. MLB time in 3 of the past 4 seasons. Most time in 2024, but not good numbers. Like most MILB signings, he's signed for the Saints and for depth if a lot of things go wrong. 

I hope he's a relief conversion project. He's a bad AAA starter. They have plenty of options for starting pitchers in AAA.

[Cory Engelhardt]

20 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I hope he's a relief conversion project. He's a bad AAA starter. They have plenty of options for starting pitchers in AAA.

That could be. That said, here are his innings totals for the last 4 seasons...

2021 = 130 innings

2022 = 154 1/3 innings

2023 = 144 innings

2024 = 127 2/3 innings.

 

Just as an arm that can give innings, I wouldn't be shocked if he gets regular turns at AAA. Innings are needed, and he's been healthy/durable. 

[Seth Stohs]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I hope he's a relief conversion project. He's a bad AAA starter. They have plenty of options for starting pitchers in AAA.

He's in the conversation for Starting Pitcher #12 or so... if he's called up for more than the Caleb Boushley role from 2024, things are not going well in 2025. 

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

He's in the conversation for Starting Pitcher #12 or so...

[DJL44]

16 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I wouldn't be shocked if he gets regular turns at AAA. Innings are needed, and he's been healthy/durable. 

Festa, Morris, Matthews, Headrick, Raya, Adams, Lewis, MacLeod, Ynoa, Varland, Canterino, Nowlin, Ohl and Randy Dobnak aren't enough to cover the innings at AAA?

[Cory Engelhardt]

Just now, DJL44 said:

Festa, Morris, Matthews, Headrick, Raya, Adams, Lewis, MacLeod, Ynoa, Varland, Canterino, Nowlin, Ohl and Randy Dobnak aren't enough to cover the innings at AAA?

Never have enough pitching. 

Also...

I doubt Festa sees much time at AAA this year. Varland will be firmly entrenched in the mlb bullpen.

Matthews and Morris and Raya and Lewis will be starters, with Dobnak and McCaughan as my guess.

Headrick, Adams, MacLeod, Ynoa and Nowlin will all be relievers, no?

Pierson Ohl, maybe he is at AA?

 

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

According to their transactions log, the Twins signed pitcher Chase Chaney. He spent last year at AA in the Angels organization.

https://www.milb.com/player/chase-chaney-681116

[Twodogs]

On 12/17/2024 at 8:57 AM, DJL44 said:

Festa, Morris, Matthews, Headrick, Raya, Adams, Lewis, MacLeod, Ynoa, Varland, Canterino, Nowlin, Ohl and Randy Dobnak aren't enough to cover the innings at AAA?

Well after Lopez and Paddock get traded to get under 130 million Festa and Matthews will be in the Big club rotation.  Man I really hope they don't trade pitching but that's probably what it looks like is going to happen in some form or another.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

22 hours ago, Twodogs said:

Well after Lopez and Paddock get traded to get under 130 million Festa and Matthews will be in the Big club rotation.  Man I really hope they don't trade pitching but that's probably what it looks like is going to happen in some form or another.  

I'll take that bet on Lopez getting moved. It's not happening

I'll also argue that Festa and Matthews should rightfully be ahead of Paddack in the pecking order if he is moved or not.

 

[Twodogs]

4 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I'll take that bet on Lopez getting moved. It's not happening

I'll also argue that Festa and Matthews should rightfully be ahead of Paddack in the pecking order if he is moved or not.

 

I sure hope Lopez doesn't go.  But there just seems to be so much talk about it?  

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 minute ago, Twodogs said:

I sure hope Lopez doesn't go.  But there just seems to be so much talk about it?  

Yeah on the national level. Not locally.

And if a team wants a player, and all of the rumored offers are trash (like they have been) how do you put any legitimacy to it.

Its not happening 

[mnfireman]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/dodgers-trade-diego-cartaya-twins.html

[stringer bell]

The Twins added another multi-position infielder on a minor league contract. Armando Alvarez made his major league debut last year with the then-Oakland A's. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/twins-sign-armando-alvarez-to-minor-league-deal.html

[stringer bell]

The Twins signed Anthony Misiewicz to a minor league contract. Since he is left handed and breathing, I expect he will make it to the Twins sometime during the season, unless he has an opt-out.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/twins-sign-anthony-misiewicz-to-minor-league-deal.html

[Original_JB]

Brady Feigl comes aboard:   https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/twins-brady-feigl-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html

[Original_JB]

I see they managed to pry Richard Lovelady from between a couple of staves......

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-sign-richard-lovelady-to-minor-league-deal.html

[Cory Engelhardt]

Twins signed pitcher Grant Hartwig to a minor league deal

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hartwgr01.shtml

 

Here is a fun interview with him from fangraphs back in 2023.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mets-prospect-grant-hartwig-has-an-unusual-background-and-an-east-west-arsenal/

[Doctor Wu]

On 4/9/2025 at 11:32 PM, Original_JB said:

I see they managed to pry Richard Lovelady from between a couple of staves......

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/twins-sign-richard-lovelady-to-minor-league-deal.html

Lovelady had a few good seasons with the A's. He might be a good piece for the bullpen.

[Doctor Wu]

1 minute ago, Doctor Wu said:

Lovelady had a few good seasons with the A's. He might be a good piece for the bullpen.

oops ... just saw that this was a very old post!

[Original_JB]

No problem; made me go looking......  From mlb.com:

Pitching for the Twins’ Triple-A St. Paul affiliate early this season, Lovelady produced a 1.31 ERA in 19 appearances. He has held left-handed batters to a .567 OPS this season and to a .232/.325/.345 slash line over his six-year career.

Lovelady, 29, talked to the Mets the past two offseasons but wound up signing elsewhere on both occasions. It was not until last month that his outlook began to change. In May, Lovelady triggered an upward mobility clause in his contract with the Twins, allowing him to negotiate with the 29 other teams. None offered him a Major League contract, so he stayed in the Twins organization a few weeks longer until reaching his opt-out date on June 15.

At that time, Lovelady became a free agent and rekindled conversations with the Mets. Monday, the team formally signed him to a Major League contract. He was available out of the bullpen that night.

 

I guess we had no use for him...